When their father dies of an apoplectic attack, the four Summers sisters along with their mother must find a way to earn an income if they are to avoid descending into utter poverty. The gentlewomen have the blessing of owning their own large house in the ocean village of Sea View, and at the prompting of their managing older sister Sarah, they resolve to become a popular seaside boarding house. Pretty Emily uses her clever pen to write advertisements. Rambunctious Georgie gives up her room to move to the attic. Industrious Sarah develops her culinary skills to save on the baker’s bill. But Viola, bitter at life due to a birth defect of a harelip, refuses to help in the endeavor.

Required to earn income another way, Viola begins to read to invalids and others who need a companion. She makes the acquaintance of Major Hutton, a soldier who was badly burned during heroic action in India, and discovers that their scars–both literal and metaphorical–forge a friendship between them that may grow into something dearer. Meanwhile, Sarah slaves away taking care of the needs of their various boarders, dealing with each idiosyncrasy and special request. But when the handsome widower Mr. Henshall starts snooping around the house in the dark of the early morning, she must put her foot down and intervene to discover what secrets he is hiding. Emily, the most attractive of the sisters, draws suitors like flies to honey, but she must learn through difficult circumstances what kind of man is worth having and why the Summers sisters’ reputation has been mysteriously damaged in polite society.

The boarding house guests, from Mr. Gwilt with his stuffed parrot to Mr. Stanley with his flirtatious teasing, are all drawn with humorous skill. Ms. Klassen even includes a pair of larger-than-life characters from one of Jane Austen’s novels (no spoilers, but I will tell you that you’ll enjoy them immensely!). The relationships between the sisters themselves are depicted with great insight as each contends with a lack of contentment about the circumstances in which they were placed. The book has nods to Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and also Pride and Prejudice.

Ensemble casts can sometimes make a novel feel like a thrown-together patchwork of pieces, but Ms. Klassen weaves an intricate tapestry that provides a complete story for this first book and still leaves threads to follow for future books. A deft tribute to Austen with memorable characters of its own, The Sisters of Sea View is a delightful start to a new Julie Klassen series.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

TITLE: THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW
AUTHOR: Julie Klassen
PUB DATE: 12.06.2022 Now Available

When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers convinces her sisters to open their seaside home to guests to provide for their ailing mother. Emily and Georgiana agree, but Viola, who wears a veil to cover a scar, detests the idea. 

Thoughts:

Reading about each of the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast is a wonderful experience that took me back in time. I felt all their pain and struggles, their love and loyalty, the sisterhood and family, and the love for one another, was visceral and immersive read.

This book has been a comforting and delightful read this month. Perfectly paced for slowing down in a season that tends to just fly by.

After their father’s passing the Summers sisters relocated to Sidmouth for their mother’s health and to the home left to them in their father’s will. Adjusting to their reduced circumstances they open their home up as a Guesthouse to earn income. They expect to house elder invalids come to Sidmouth for it’s touted healing sea water, but instead end up hosting a few eligible gentlemen. Viola Summers is not keen to opening up her home to strangers but when pressed to either help with the housework or earn income to supplement hiring a maid she chooses to take on reading to the elderly with poor eyesight allowing her to continue hiding in the shadows as she has always done. Till her first client ends up being a wounded officer in his thirties. Soon she finds her scars both visible and hidden within exposed and her heart opening to life’s chances.

This story was my first Julie Klassen book and it won’t be my last. I can see how much stories like Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Little Women played an influential role on her writing. It was easy to get swept in each of the characters stories. A strong feeling of family and friendship leaps off the page. Most of all I loved Viola’s story. Her character arc and change is the strongest in the book and truly beautiful. I can’t wait for the next installment in the series. The Summers sisters have become as dear to me as the March sisters. I know I will be picking this book up to reread again and again! If you enjoy the worlds of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott the this book will sure be a pleasure for you to read

"The Sisters of Sea View" is a Christian romance set in 1819 in England. While three sisters had potential romances going on, this was mainly Viola's romance. She was born with a cleft lip and faced prejudice for it until, after several torturous surgeries, she finally had the lip fixed with only a scar left. But she's mentally scarred, too, so she wore a veil and avoided going out rather than face rejection. She chose to read to invalids to earn money, and her first client was a military man who was terribly burned while saving a friend from a fire. Viola quickly learned to look past his physical scars (though his attitude needed adjusting), yet she couldn't believe that others could do the same toward her. She (and the client) had to struggle through these issues and find the courage to face the world without hiding.

Historical details were woven into the story and brought it alive in my imagination. The characters were engaging, varied, and acted in realistic ways. I cared about what happened to them, including people staying at Sea View and the reading clients. They faced challenges and grew in character. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.

With the death of their father, the Summers sisters and their mother are left in a state of genteel poverty. To avoid losing their seaside home, they open it to guests. And so begins a parade of characters through their lives, as well as their home, bringing both welcome and unwelcome changes.

Viola Summers views life through a veil worn to cover her scars. Hiring herself out as a reader to invalids, she finds herself questioning the veiled life she’s chosen. Will she have the courage to toss away the veil she believes has protected her? And will her decision be the making or the breaking of her heart?

The Sisters of Sea View, which is presumably the first in a series, is step back in time to the Devonshire Coast of long ago. Rich with details, its characters demonstrate all the conflicting loyalties, frustrations, and love of sisterhood. It is a story of perseverance and hope that left me cheering for each sister as they struggled to find their own way. The Sisters of Sea View is primarily Viola’s story, and I look forward to future books for each of the sisters. This book pairs perfectly with a cup of hot tea, a blanket, and a blustery winter’s day!

*Thank you to @netgalley and @bethanyhousefiction for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is such a tribute to Jane Austen. The premise has a hint of Sense and Sensibility mixed with a tad of Pride and Prejudice but has two characters perfectly portrayed from Emma. This book is so full of charm! I loved the descriptions of the people, Sea View, and the village. It made me want to vacation there! I also loved the underlying theme of how people with imperfections are treated differently and how it affects the person being shunned. It is a great reminder not to judge a book by its cover!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I have been a reader of Julie's for longer than I can remember. My first book was Girl in the Gatehouse and I just remember loving her historical details and the MC that doesn't shine bright but quietly works her way to redemption. The Sisters of Sea View reminded me of Julie's attention to the little bits that give a story life and beauty.
Four sisters have taken residence at a seaside manor with their ill mother following their father's passing. With little to no money to continue their former way of life, they take on the burden of creating an income while maintaining their close bonds and gentility. Each sister is struggling to grapple with their grief and come to terms with their new way of life.
As I was reading, I wasn't quite sure how it all couldn't be a standalone rather than a series. I was sure that each sister would find her happiness. Luckily, I was wrong and this ended satisfactorily while leaving me with open ended threads into book two. I have my suspicions about what is behind that closed door and I am looking forward to seeing if I'm correct.
Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Title: The Sisters of Sea View
Author: Julie Kassen
Publisher: Bethany House
Genre: Regency Historical Fiction

With nods to Jane Austen, Emma, Pride & Prejudice and Sense Sensibility, The Sisters of Sea View is sure to delight regency fans and Austen fans alike. These sisters may even remind of the March sisters in Little Woman!

When their father passes away and their finances are in dire straights the Summer sisters are determined to stay together and not sell their beautiful seaside home, so they turn in into a guest house. With oldest sister Sarah at the helm, handling the the budget, menus and care for their ailing mother this plan is sure to succeed.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book felt a little long at times, and it took me a little bit to get in the groove of remembering all the sisters and house guests, but once I did I really enjoyed this story. I loved the way the author tackled sister Viola having a cleft palate and a scar. Something that probably wasn’t very common in that era. She was self conscious so she wore a veil to cover her face and didn’t want to be around the guests. So, to earn extra money she read to invalids. She met her match when she was tasked reading to a military officer who was injured and also had scars. Her twin Emily was a romantic and story-teller. And the baby sister Georgina was a spit-fire. I enjoyed all the secondary characters of the houseguests and towns people. This looks like its the start of a series and I’m eager to see where it goes!



#thesistersofseaview #authorjulieklassen #uplitreadscampaign

Julie Klassen is an auto-read author for me, and I'm so excited for a new series to devour! The Sisters of Sea View very much has the vibe of her Ivy Hill series, with a slower pace and rich details intricately weaving together the lives of her characters and immersing the reader in the setting. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and doesn't focus on one couple only, but creates an ensemble cast that I anticipate will continue throughout the rest of the books. Each sister has her own unique and vibrant personality, and I loved seeing them come into their own and develop their strengths in their new circumstances. Such a cozy read that held my interest through each page and plot development. I can't wait for the next installment!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Sisters of Sea View is a wonderful start to a new series by Julie Klassen. I love how it told from each of the sisters view points as they figure out how to run a guest house by the sea. I could especially relate to Sarah, as she takes on the responsibility of the bookwork and baking, worrying about making ends meet and helping her mother to regain some strength. Each of the sisters are lovely, with their different strengths and insecurities. I love how Viola introduces us to how difficult it was to have a cleft pallet back then, and how she grows as a character when she is forced out of her comfort zone.

There is a bit of resolution, with one of the sisters finding happiness outside of Sea View, but it is set up for sequels. I look forward to the next book!

I received this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen is an enchanting story of romance and sisterhood with an idyllic coastal setting (Devonshire, UK). The Summers sisters are sure to charm their way into the hearts of readers with their varied personalities and shared bond of family as they must pursue a new venture — one that puts a few eligible gentlemen and other new friends in their path.

In regards to the romance possibilities, the three older sisters have prospects. From a slight flirtation to a newfound friendship or two, each has a different dynamic. I was rooting for Viola and Sarah, especially, in their arcs. I am happy to see this is a series by Klassen and there will be more stories to come centered on this family in Sidmouth.

A deeper theme I note and appreciate within the context of the story is how the value of every individual person is emphasized. Many characters offer examples of this, from looking beyond outward appearances, behaviors, and circumstances to appreciating the gifts, qualities, and hearts of people. Viola’s struggles and emotional healing factor into this theme, as does her new friend, Major Hutton, in reinforcing her worth and confidence.

As one could expect with a seaside setting, customs of the time such as bathing machines, supposed “healing” dips in the waters, and society functions all take place in these pages. Julie Klassen nods to a few Jane Austen characters and situations within the story, and has included epigraphs which delight and enlighten the reader to the real history and accounts of the region. Fans of Austen and the Sanditon adaptation should take note, as this has similar appeal and an even better story.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

This is Inspirational Regency fiction at its absolute best!

The Sisters of Sea View was a wonderful book.
I have been reading this authors’ books since she has started writing and I don’t plan on stopping. I love how well researched her books are, you truly feel as though you are right here in the setting with the characters experiencing it all.


The setting is mostly at Sea View, a large home in Devonshire. After the unexpected death of the father, the ailing mother is unable to work so the four sisters devise a way to bring in money to save the house from being sold. They turn Sea View with its gorgeous view of the sea from its bedrooms into a home taking in boarders.
It takes a while to set up all the characters as there are many, the new boarders, the townspeople, people off visiting, hired help and more.


Once we get past all of this the books goes at a smooth pace.
There are four sisters and each one is lovely and has a unique place in the book.
This book has the four sisters present but concentrates on the story of one of them more than the others. If I had a guess I would say, each sister has her own story.
It was pleasing to see a sister who didn’t enjoy mixing in company because of what she thinks is a deformity that she keeps covered become less self-conscience and sure of herself.


There are characters staying at the house when it becomes a boarding house, some definitely a little quirky. We get somewhat of a backstory of these characters, and I think we’ll see more of them in future books.
One thing is for sure, I would love to visit Sea View and go into the sea there. It sounds so peaceful and relaxing there.
I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. It will be hard to wait.

Pub Date 06 Dec 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A captivating read that transported me to the shores of Devonshire, as four sisters adjust to their reduced circumstances by opening their home to guests.

A well written novel that does an excellent job of capturing the nuance of the time period, realistically bringing to life a full cast of unique and carefully crafted characters. The story follows the three eldest sisters as they navigate their new circumstances and responsibilities. Sarah is the eldest and takes her duty to the wellbeing of her family seriously, bearing the burdens even when her heart is on the line. Emily is charming and impulsive, while her twin Viola is more timid, but with a surprising courage. Violas was my favorite and claimed a special place in my heart, for how she overcame her fears by serving others.

A wonderful start to a brand new series that left me wanting more and hoping for the return of some of the Summers's guests in the future. I loved how as the sisters got to know their guests and new friends, that they were not as the first appeared. This is a wonderful read for fans of Jane Austen, with many compelling storylines throughout. I can't wait to return to Devonshire and the wonderful people there.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen started off slow and unhurried, not hard to put down when necessary. Later, I realized that the relaxed pace allowed the author to spend substantial page time building the three main characters (Sarah, Emily, and Viola) and their world. Taking the time to dig into each woman’s mind and secrets created a solid foundation for this story and the subsequent novels in the series. Viola ranked as my favorite sister, and I was very pleased with the way her storyline unfolded.

In The Sisters of Sea View, several characters have scars, emotional or physical. A strong theme that felt spiritual, but not preachy, emerged as the author used different characters to show how people respond to injuries and scars. Will the person choose bitterness or contentment? Will the scars cause a person to withdraw, or will the person be unhindered? This theme undergirded the character development of multiple characters and added depth to the story.

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen commences the On Devonshire Shores series. While I would not consider the ending a cliffhanger, certain relationships and circumstances are open-ended. Christian fiction readers who enjoy historical fiction with bonds of sisterhood and a relaxed pace will likely enjoy The Sisters of Sea View. As Julie Klassen wrote in the author’s note, the story also offers “fond nods of honor to the great Jane Austen.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

At first glance, The Sisters of Sea View appears to have much in common with Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Here is a family of women who have lost their husband and father. None of them is married, and one sister is a model of practicality and familial responsibility. The youngest sister is more apt to climb a tree than to be drawn to the accomplishments of the genteel in society. There are also details that could be compared to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. The cast of main characters is decidedly female, one aspires to be an author, two sisters come to properly appreciate each other after calamity strikes in the water, and two girls enjoy the art of creating homemade plays for their families. However, while Julie Klassen’s latest novel may have those details in common with other 19th century fiction, it certainly is its own narrative.

The life of the Summers family as detailed in The Sisters of Sea View is compelling, entertaining and educational as well. Although there are similarities to Austen’s and Alcott’s characters, these ladies have their own struggles and triumphs. Klassen’s writing adeptly constructs these women, giving them their distinct personalities and foibles. While there is a bit of a “happily ever after” (HEA) to the story, not every problem is resolved with a perfect little bow. Insecurities and conflicts are realistic, drawing the reader in and making the narrative quite believable. Issues which are particular to the time add to the realism of the story, particularly in the area of superstitions and medical capabilities.

The romance found in the novel is sweet, enticing, and very family-friendly. The HEA occurred in a way that I did not expect, and I just loved it. Do not let the amazing cover art of this book fool you– in my opinion, the “main character” is not the woman whose face we see on the cover. As this book is the first in a series, my expectation is that the bonneted lady we see on the beach will one day have her nuptial moment, but just not yet. Regardless, all the women in The Sisters of Sea View are given compelling, interwoven storylines that held my attention throughout the novel. There are moments of humor (including incidents with a dead parrot), dramatic tension, danger and heartwarming exchanges between young and old alike. As someone of Scottish heritage, I also appreciated the little cultural touches in connection with a few characters from that country, from the accents displayed to mentions of Scottish thistles, kilts, and haggis!

The Sisters of Sea View is a delightful start to a new series by Julie Klassen. She has once again not failed to disappoint. Although I did enjoy the previous work of hers, Shadows of Swanford Abbey, I think I might have liked this title even more. I’m glad there will be more volumes to come, presumably with more of these characters and/or their relations. Days spent at Julie Klassen’s Devonshire shores are delightful indeed, suitable for all audiences and for fans of Austen and Alcott in particular.

An ode to the sweet romantic writing of Jane Austen, The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen is a delightful tale of family and love that sweeps you away to an English seaside resort in the Regency era. If you love Little Women and Jane Austen, I truly believe you will adore this novel. Julie Klassen writes tales of sweet romance in Regency England with an artistic style similar to Jane Austen, but with pacing and vernacular for a modern reader. She does deliver some moments of swoon-worthy kisses and suspenseful rescues, but the strength of this story are the characters, which are written with depth and feeling. I love seeing characters grow spiritually and emotionally in all of Julie Klassen’s stories, but especially in this book. With a cast of interesting characters at a seaside resort in Regency England, the interactions amongst the community, the family of sisters, and romantic couples are entertaining, heartwarming, and enlightening. There are so many important lessons about faith in these pages, but the best wisdom I gleaned from this tale was to have courage and always believe in the Lord’s provision. I cannot wait to read the next installment of the series, and see what happens next for these sisters on Devonshire shores!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher for review purposes, and my thoughts are my own.

Julia Klassen has written a delightful new book, which is the first in a new series, On Devonshire Shores. The story features a mother and her four daughters, Sarah, Emily, Viola, and Georgina, who find themselves short of funds after the death of their husband/father. They previously lived on a lavish estate, but it was entailed to a male member of the family. Fortunately, before his death the father had purchased a lovely, large seaside home in Sidmouth. Because their former ladies' maid had met with success opening a board house in Sidmouth, the females in the family decide to do the same with their house, calling it a guest house.
They receive guests almost immediately, and the guests are an interesting group. In a tribute to Jane Austen, Mr. and Mrs. Elton, who are in Austen's Emma, play a substantial role in Klaasen's book. For anyone who enjoys novels about Regency England, this book delivers. While not at all a suspenseful read or a book that is difficult to put down, at least initially, it is a very engaging and character-driven volume. It features well-developed with various dispositions and quirks. They range from wealthy neighbors to residents of the local poor house.
Perhaps the most interesting of the daughters is Viola, who was born with a hare lip. After several bungled surgeries, her parents took her to France for a successful repair of this birth defect. Nonetheless, Violet still views herself as defective and wears a hat with a veil whenever she encounters people other than immediate family members. How her view of herself evolves as well as how her role in the family changes make up a major part of this novel. Hopefully, later books in the series will focus on each of the remaining sisters.
I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. While this is a Christian novel, it is definitely not a "preachy" sort of novel. The characters live out their faith through the conduct of their lives. Any regency fans would enjoy the book even if they do not normally read books labeled as Christian fiction. Klaasen has a real winner on her hands with this one!

I wasn’t sure if I would like this at first, even though I usually do enjoy Julie Klassen books. But the more I read the more I came to care about these characters and the stories they were going through. I am excited to read more and see what happens in their lives. Just enough was resolved in this book to feel satisfied but also enough was left unresolved to keep me wanting to read more.

Each sister has her own story and then there is the mystery surrounding the sister who is no longer there. I anticipate learning more about her in future books.

If you are looking for a new historical series to dive into you might want to give this one a try.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh how I adore Julie Klassen’s writing!
This new series gave me Little Women mixed with Jane Austen vibes.
I loved the close relationship of the Summers sisters, the mysterious guests, and the feel of a small/charming seaside town.
Budding romances, characters with pasts to figure out or intentions to discover, and a family trying to make ends meet after the passing of their father. It was a delight! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

After reading just one of Julie Klassen’s books, I was absolutely hooked! She reminds me of a contemporary Victoria Holt in many ways. She has t his great story telling style with romance and a little bit of Gothic and mystery added on (to some of her books). Typically when something comes up for review by Klassen, I am fully on board! I was pleasantly surprised to see that this book kicks off a new series for Klassen, most of her books are standalone so this made me extra excited to check it out!

Klassen is a Christian fiction author, which I know isn’t necessarily for everyone. But with that said, I personally feel like her books are really more historical fiction. They do have some elements of Christian fiction but for me the dominant theme is more historical fiction and romance than anything else. In this book in particular I felt like it almost ran more to Women’s fiction with the sister element of this one but in a Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility kind of way if that makes sense.

At any rate, I took a break from my murder mystery thriller series that I have been burning through, to read this one. And now I am dying to read all of Klassen’s books! As soon as I am done with the Tracers Series, I am moving right on to another Klassen book. She always writes such well developed characters and a lovely story so I can honestly say I am never disappointed in anything that she writes.

Summary

When their father’s death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.

Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family’s new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth’s many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars–both visible and those hidden deep within–and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.

Review

As I would expect from Klassen, this book features well developed and were such a joy to read! I loved getting to know Sarah and her sisters and of course and eager to read more about them in the upcoming series! I thought Sarah was an excellent main character, but also a great intro character to the larger series. Sarah was committed, tenacious, and so sweet that I think many readers will find her a delight to read. I know I could certainly relate to her as not only the eldest daughter but also her humor which just endeared her to me. Klassen has a clear love of Jane Austen and that shows in her characters and story, her books and characters are Austen like but with a modern twist. If you are an Austen fan you are going to find a lot to love in this book!

What really shines in this book though is the family relationships. They way the sisters relate to one another and interact is so genuine. This book has some different POVs and I felt like each POV was very true to each of the sisters. I never felt like any of the sisters were our of character, each of them fit nicely within the story and fit relationally in the narrative. I was invested in each of their stories and personalities and am eager to read more of Viola and her romance in future books. I love how Klassen leaves readers satisfied with Sarah’s romance and story but eager for more with Viola.

This book did read a little slow at certain parts. It never crossed over into ‘boring’ territory though, it just had some parts where the build up was solid and well paced then all of a sudden things would slow down and start to build up again. In a way I liked that style as it helped me savor parts of the story but I mention it just so people are aware that there are some slower parts. This book has wonderful historical details as well. Not so much that it’s overwhelming but enough for fans of the genre to devour the historical details. I absolutely loved Klassen’s latest book and cannot wait to read more from her in this series! If you love historical fiction with romance, sisterly relationships, and attention to historical detail then look no further!

Book Info and Rating

Format: 448 pages, paperback

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers, December 6th 2022

ISBN: 978764234262

Free review copy provided by publisher, Bethany House Publisher in partnership with Austen Prose Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4 star

Genre: Christian fiction, historical fiction